The posh colony of Delhi (Def Col) boasts more than 25 small and big parks spread all over the colony to provide much-needed oxygen to the residents. These parks were quite barren three decades back when the colony kids used to play all the outdoor sports to remain fit and healthy. But with time these parks are known as “ornamental parks” with lots of plants, walking strips, swings, benches, sheds, etc., for the residents under the PPP scheme involving the residents to even maintain them with the support of the local government. The Delhi government used to or was supposed to, pay monthly maintenance charges to the park committees, but it has been reported that these maintenance charges have not been paid for the last few months (more than 2 years too for a few), which is resulting in poor conditions of parks. The major issues are as follows, with suggestions:
• Some of these parks have damaged tiles, no lights, no water, no fertilisers, broken swings, and damaged grass and plants due to unavailability of funds;
• The local committees are managing with their own funds to pay for Mali, plants, etc., but due to scarcity of resources, even charging the users to pay some amount to use the public parks, which is a great matter of concern as it results in fights and arguments.
• Some residents also bring their pets and never carry poop bags or clean;
• Most of these parks are also visited by nearby colonies (Kotla, Sewa Nagar, Andrews Ganj, Lajpat Nagar, etc.) and used in the worst possible manner to ruin the plants and other properties; they fight with the local committees and use them even after the closing time.
• The funds were routed through RWA or even paid directly, but the overall system collapsed, and most of these so-called ornamental plants are looking shabby and may result in a few accidents for the seniors who walk or use the park for their morning and evening gup-shup.
It has been requested by the residents to provide sufficient funds to the committee or maintain them directly to ensure that these parks are used more frequently, safely, and effectively.
